By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma and Lincoln Morton
The Rhodes University Student Representative Council (SRC) kicked off Leadership Week with a bang on 5 August 2024 with an event featuring Miss United Nations 2019, Vinolia Mabele, South African politician Bongani Baloyi, leader of the Xiluva political party and a keynote address by Julius Malema, founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Eden Grove Red was packed with students eager to meet Malema. The audience included not only Rhodes University students but also SRC members from various institutions across the Eastern Cape. With the evening’s theme of “Good Governance and Security in Africa,” Mabele took to the podium with a speech focused on women’s empowerment.
“Let’s occupy the spaces,” Mabele said.
She said people had no right to complain about the state of affairs if they were not actively participating in shaping the policies that govern them and reflecting their values and interests.
Mabele’s remarks come in the context of the current Miss South Africa debate, which has sparked considerable discussion on social media. A contestant, Chidimma Adetshina, withdrew from the pageant after Home Affairs found evidence that Adetshina’s mother, who has Mozambican roots, may have committed fraud and identity theft in obtaining South African citizenship.
Mabele believes this situation highlights a broader issue: the need to empower young women in our societies. Empowering women, Mabele argues, equips them with the strength and resilience to combat oppressive conditions and address significant challenges within our communities, such as gender-based violence, poverty, and crime.
When turning her attention to good governance in Africa, Mabele passionately called for a time of “redress and address” – the need for Africans to come together and confront the historical injustices that have plagued the continent for many years.
This was only possible if Black Africans cultivated a sense of unity and mutual respect, embracing the rich history of their diverse cultures. Mabele emphasized that achieving these goals required a joint effort to ensure love and solidarity among Black Africans. By doing so, they can create a stronger, more cohesive community capable of overcoming past and present struggles. Her message was a call for action, urging individuals to step into roles where they can effect change and contribute to the betterment of society.
Bongani Baloyi
Baloyi discussed the pressing issue of the Government of National Unity. He began his address with a thought-provoking question, “What is good governance?” This resonated deeply with the audience, especially in the wake of the 2024 elections, which have left many citizens anxious and uncertain about the country’s future.
Baloyi highlighted the growing concern among the community, saying, “Our government takes ideologies of the Western political system and tries to implement them in our societies.” He said that while these systems might work well in their countries of origin, they often fail to address the unique challenges and cultural issues in the African context.
Turning his attention to the current leadership, Baloyi criticized the process by which leaders are selected, stating, “We elect today, and we regret tomorrow.” This remark highlights the frustration many feel about the disconnect between the electoral process and the quality of leadership that emerges from it.
Baloyi touched on the deeply rooted concept of ubuntu, which emphasizes communal harmony and mutual respect. He passionately argued that it is against the essence of ubuntu to send the weakest members of society to lead. In his view, leadership should reflect the community’s strengths and values, not a position filled out of necessity or compromise.
Baloyi shared his thoughts on the relationship between individual identity and community recognition, emphasizing a shift in perspective on what constitutes genuine affirmation. He argued that individual recognition should be based on one’s contributions to the community rather than merely on individual ideology. “You become an affirmed individual based on your contribution to the communal table, rather than just being an individual first and then part of the community,” said Baloyi.
Baloyi expanded on his argument by discussing the relationship between governance and African indigenous knowledge systems. He said good governance alone was insufficient to guarantee security, safety, and prosperity. “Good governance in Africa alone will not secure a prosperous country. It needs to be supported by a political system rooted in our indigenous knowledge,” he said.
Baloyi said a government of national unity should prioritize the most skilled and knowledgeable individuals to serve the collective interests of the nation.
“If it were a GNU, it would have been about who has the best skill and minds to work for the national interest of all people,” he said.
Concluding his speech, Baloyi offered a reflective insight into the nature of the struggle and its significance. “A struggle without casualties is no struggle,” he said.
Malema’s keynote
Julius Malema delivered a powerful keynote address that deeply resonated with students and attendees. Speaking at the Eden Grove building, Malema’s address centred on the themes of security and good governance in Africa, drawing a packed crowd both inside and outside the venue.
Malema emphasized the importance of education, urging students to strive for academic excellence as a means to make a significant impact in South Africa. He encouraged students not to be discouraged by negative treatment due to their political stance, reminding them of their vital role in the country’s future.
Malema questioned the naming of Rhodes University after Cecil Rhodes, whom he described as a “brutal individual,” and suggested that the institution be renamed Steve Biko University. He noted the historical change of Grahamstown to Makhanda and called for similar action to address the colonial legacy associated with the university’s name.
Malema’s speech underscored the importance of embracing a Pan-African spirit and encouraged the youth to challenge large, problematic institutions that hinder national progress.
During the Q&A session, students posed critical questions to Malema. One question addressed the reconciliation of customs with statutory law. Malema responded by acknowledging the significance of traditional leadership and the need to modernize while maintaining accountability.
“Traditional leadership constitutes the core of who we are. We had systems to hold kings and queens accountable, and we could organize and manage ourselves before colonization.”
However, Malema emphasized that these systems must adapt and modernize to meet contemporary challenges.
Another question focused on the involvement and representation of women in government and leadership. Malema emphasized the importance of taking gender-based violence seriously and the necessity of unlearning patriarchal norms within all institutions, including the police and the courts. “We live in a patriarchal society,” Malema said, noting that this makes it difficult for victims to seek justice.
Reflecting on past political activism, Malema reminded students that activists were often met with severe resistance. Quoting Nelson Mandela, he said, “A principle remains a principle, that’s why Mandela said, ‘I’m prepared to die’,” urging students to uphold their principles regardless of the consequences.
He underscored that students today might think that political activists from the past were met with praise, but said, “A revolution is not a bed of roses.”
He told the attendees they might be victimized for their political views. Still, they must not allow unprincipled actions from university authorities or lecturers to deter them, reinforcing the importance of resilience and determination.
Addressing the topic of South Africa’s national anthem, Malema proposed replacing the ‘Die Stem’ portion with another Afrikaans song if necessary, noting that the anthem is not constitutionally required and can be changed by the president. Malema stated that for many South Africans, ‘Die Stem’ reminds them of their painful and tragic past.
In a discussion on political alliances, Malema asserted that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), ANC, and Mkhonto we Sizwe combined represent 75% of the vote, capable of effecting meaningful change. He criticized Helen Zille’s claim that such an alliance would never happen. He reaffirmed the EFF’s commitment to expropriating land without compensation, stating that the constitution could be amended to accommodate this.
Malema also addressed the ANC’s cooperation with the DA, questioning the ANC’s stance on non-racialism and emphasizing that the EFF demands free education for all, based solely on matric results rather than through NSFAS. He called for a centralized registration system, highlighting that all major universities in South Africa are national assets.
